Educational board game

ABSTRACT

An educational board game including a board having a series of spaces of varying colors and shapes, a plurality of game pieces, and a deck of cards including questions printed thereon. The game also includes a series of blank cards upon which questions can be written by a player or supervisor to be asked during game play. The game is played by rolling a die, moving a game piece a number of spaces designated by the die, drawing a card, answering a question on the card, and following the instructions on the card for movement of the game piece if the answer is correct. If desired, a player may be assisted to answer a question if a partially correct answer is given. Further, players can be required to identify the color and shape of the space on which their game piece has landed during play.

This application is based on U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/008,055 filed Oct. 5, 1996.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an educational method and apparatus which also functions as a method and means of amusement. More particularly, the invention relates to a board game especially adapted for use by parents and children together to serve as a learning process for children in one or more selected topics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many board games in the prior art using apparatus comprising a board defining a pathway, a game piece for each player to advance along the pathway, a pair of dice and one or more sets of cards each containing information which is used in regard to advancing the game pieces along the pathway. Such prior art games are primarily if not exclusively amusement devices.

There is a need for a board game which is especially adapted for use by parents and children together which is not only fun to play but also performs a major function of teaching young children and testing their knowledge in matters which can be selected by parents as being important to the well-being of the children.

This invention is described with reference to a particular embodiment with certain optional modifications which may be used selectively as part of the game apparatus to provide for teaching appropriate subject matter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the playing board of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a game piece; and

FIG. 3 shows a stack of game cards.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the game board 10 in plan view in colors which are actually used on the game board itself. The game board represents a perspective view of a portion of a village or other community with buildings, structures, vehicles and other apparatus of interest to small children. The game board comprises a pathway 12 which extends in a clockwise direction from a "Start" position at the corner of a school building 14 to a street crossing 16. In a similar manner, a pathway 18 extends from the "Start" position in a counterclockwise direction to the street crossing 16. A pathway 22 extends from the street crossing 16 to the entrance of a house 24 which is labeled "Home Finish|".

Each pathway is depicted as a sidewalk or walkway. Each of the pathways comprises a series of discrete locations or "spaces". Each space is defined by a geometrical shape, namely, circles, squares, triangles and polygons. Each space is colored in accordance with its shape. In particular, the circles are yellow, the triangles are green, the squares are blue and polygons are red. There are also four spaces which each correspond to one of four "Guardian Characters" illustrated on the board.

Alternate routes 26, 28 and 30, each of which is labelled "Slide", are provided between selected spaces on the pathways.

Certain selected spaces on the pathways have a picture of a game character on the space. Although not shown in FIG. 1, a picture of a game character may be placed on several selected spaces.

A game piece is shown in FIG. 2 and is representative of a set of several game pieces, for example, four game pieces each bearing a picture of a different game character. Each game piece comprises a small pedestal which holds the picture of a game character.

A pair of dice, not shown, and is used in a conventional manner by each player in succession to obtain a number which determines the number of spaces the players game piece will advance on the pathway.

Four sets of game cards are provided. Each set of game cards corresponds in shape and color to one of the four different shapes of the spaces on the pathway. Thus, the circular cards correspond with the yellow circles on the pathway, the square cards correspond with the blue square spaces on the pathway, the triangular cards correspond with the green triangular pathway and the polygonal cards correspond with the red polygons on the pathway. The set of square game cards is depicted in a stacked arrangement in FIG. 3.

Each of the game cards has a question and an instruction printed on its bottom face. The question may relate to any desired subject of learning such as health, safety, numbers, letters, etc. The instruction tells the player who draws the card how many spaces to move the game piece. Table A below shows typical questions and instructions which are used on the game cards.

                                      TABLE A     __________________________________________________________________________     What letter is this and what                   How many sides does a triangle                                 What letter is this and what     sound does it make?                   have?         sound does it make?     p                           R     Move forward 1 space.                   Move forward 3 spaces.                                 Move forward 1 space     What letter is this and what                   Are all four sides of a rectangle                                 What letter is this and what     sound does it make?                   the same size?                                 sound does it make?                                 (two sounds)     M                           A     Move forward 1 space.                   Move forward 3 spaces                                 Move forward 2 spaces.     How many sides does a square                   What letter is this and what                                 Are the sides of a square the     have?         sound does it make?                                 same size?                   B     Move forward 3 spaces.                   Move forward 1 space.                                 Move forward 3 spaces.     What letter is this and what                   What letter is this and what                                 What letter is this and what     sound does it make?                   sound does it make?                                 sound does it make?     (two sounds)     E             K             H     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 1 space.                                 Move forward 1 space.     What letter is this and what                   What letter is this and what                                 What letter is this and what     sound does it make?                   sound does it make?                                 sound does it make?     (two sounds)     G             J             Z     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 1 space.                                 Move forward 1 space.     What letter is this and what                   What letter is this and what                                 What letter is this and what     sound does it make?                   sound does it make?                                 sound does it make?     (two sounds)     C             N             L     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 1 space.                                 Move forward 1 space.     What letter is this and what                   What letter is this and what                                 What letter is this and what     sound does it make?                   sound does it make?                                 sound does it make?     (two sounds)     O             D             Q     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 1 space.                                 Move forward 2 spaces.     What letter is this and what                   What letter is this and what                                 What letter is this and what     sound does it make?                   sound does it make?                                 sound does it make?                                 (two sounds)     V             F             I     Move forward 1 space.                   Move forward 1 space.                                 Move forward 2 spaces.     What letter is this and what                   What letter is this and what                                 What letter is this and what     sound does it make?                   sound does it make?                                 sound does it make?     X             T             S     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 1 space.                                 Move forward 1 space.     What letter is this and what                   What letter is this and what                                 What letter is this and what     sound does it make?                   sound does it make?                                 sound does it make?     (two sounds)                (three sounds) ya, e, i)     U             W             Y     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 1 space.                                 Move forward 3 spaces     If you see a dog running around                   What is an electrical outlet?                                 If you see a dog with his     outside and it looks like a owner, what do you do before     friendly dog what do you do?                                 you pet the dog?     Why?                        Why?     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 1 space                                 Move forward 1 space.     If you have a toy that will fit                   Can you play with an electrical                                 If your parents are inside, the     into an electrical outlet, should                   outlet?       kids are outside playing ball and     you put it in?                   Why?          the ball goes in the pool,                                 What do you do?     Move forward 2 spaces                   Move forward 3 spaces.                                 Move forward 3 spaces     When you get into a car or                   If someone asks you to try                                 Never take any medicine even if     truck, what do you do?                   drugs of type, what do you                                 it's your own, unless your     Why           say?          parents give it to you.                   Why?          Why?     Move forward 1 space.                   Move forward 4 spaces.                                 Move forward 2 spaces.     Do you play with or open                   If someone says to try a                                 If someone asks you to try a     cleaning bottles?                   cigarette, what do you say?                                 drink of beer or alcohol, what     Why?          Why?          do you do?     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 3 spaces.                                 Move forward 4 spaces.     Never play with lighters or                   If a stranger asks you to come                                 If a stranger offers you a gift     matches.      with him, what do you say?                                 like candy, what do you say?     Why?          Why?          Why?     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 4 spaces.                                 Move forward 3 spaces.     If you see a group of ants on the                   Never play with the stove in the                                 Never go into a pool if no adult     ground, what should you do?                   kitchen because                                 is watching you because                     .                .     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 2 spaces.                                 Move forward 3 spaces.     If you see a group of bees, what                   While playing outside, you                                 If someone touches your private     should you do?                   should always wear your shoes.                                 parts, what do you do?                   Why?     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 1 space.                                 Move forward 4 spaces.     If there is a fire in the building                   If something is cooking, you                                 If you are crossing a street,     you are in, what do you do?                   should never touch it because                                 after receiving your parent's                      .          permission, what do you do?     Move forward 3 spaces.                   Move forward 1 space.                                 Move forward 3 spaces.     If there is a full pot in the                   Never take rides from strangers                                 After going Trick or Treating     kitchen, why shouldn't you                   Why?          on Halloween, do not eat     touch it?                   anything until when?     Move forward 1 space.                   Move forward 4 spaces.                                 Move forward 1 space.     Never play with a real gun                   Why should you never play with                                 You should never have an     because       sharp objects or run around with                                 electrical appliance near a                   things like scissors or knives.                                 bathtub, shower, or pool.                                 True or false?     Move forward 4 spaces.                   Move forward 2 spaces.                                 Move forward 3 spaces.     If a friend tells you to do                   Taking something that is not                                 If a lady looks nice and asks     something that you know your                   yours is bad. you to help find her kitty, what     parents would not want you to                   Why?          do you do?     do, what do you do?     Move forward 1 space.                   Move forward 2 spaces.                                 Move forward 3 spaces.     When your teacher gives you                   If a man looks nice and asks                                 Why is it important to read     homework, is it important to                   you to help find his puppy, what                                 books or to have books read to     finish?       do you do?    you?     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 3 spaces.                                 Move forward 1 space.     Always walk home from school                   Do you know your address?                                 Do you know your phone     or a friend's house the same                                 number?     way.     Why?     Move forward 3 spaces.                   Move forward 3 spaces.                                 Move forward 2 spaces.     Do you know your last name?                   You should brush your teeth                                 If food falls on the ground, you                   after every meal.                                 should not eat it.                   Why?          Why?     Move forward 1 space.                   Move forward 1 space.                                 Move forward 1 space.     Is it good to always chew your                   Exercising is healthy and good                                 You should never adjust the     food very well?                   for you. True or false?                                 water temperature before     Why?                        stepping into a tub or shower?                                 True or false?     Move forward 1 space.                   Move forward 1 space.                                 Move forward 1 space.     You should wear light colored                   Throwing balls in the house is                                 If you are on your bike, skates,     or reflective clothing when                   okay if it is on the weekend.                                 or skateboard, it's okay for a     riding your bike in the dark                                 vehicle to pull you.     True or false?                   True or false?                                 True or false?     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 1 space.                                 Move forward 1 space.     When a street light is green                   Do not distract the driver of a                                 You can ride your bike across     you should still look both ways                   car or bus by talking too loudly                                 the street.     before crossing                   or being too active     True or false?                   True or false?                                 True or false?     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 2 spaces.                                 Move forward 3 spaces.     You should be allowed to go off                   Crossing in the middle of the                                 It is important to go to the     by yourself, if you feel it's safe                   street is okay.                                 dentist to have your teeth     True or false?              checked.                   True or false?                                 True or false     Move forward 3 spaces.                   Move forward 2 spaces                                 Move forward 1 space.     You are a stupid child.                   Running across the street is                                 If an emergency happens in                   okay if no cars are commg                                 your home, what number do     True or false?              you call to have the police or                   True or false?                                 fire department come by?     Move forward 3 spaces.                   Move forward 2 spaces.                                 Move forward 3 spaces.     You should believe in yourself                   If someone is hurting you, tell                                 When you walk down the street,     no matter what other people                   your teacher or parents.                                 always walk facing traffic.     say.     True or false.?                   True or false?                                 True or false?     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 3 spaces.                                 Move forward 3 spaces.     If someone touches you in a                   Never put a plastic bag over     way that you don't want to be                   your head or the head of anyone                                 Surprise|||     touched, even if it is an adult                   else?     can you say no?             Free move|||     Why?          True or false?     Move forward 3 spaces.                   Move forward 3 spaces.                                 Move forward one space.     Is it bad to join gangs?                   Surprise|||   If someone is hurting you, you                                 always have the right to say no     Why?                        even to an adult.                   Free Move|||  True or false?     Move forward 3 spaces.                   Move forward one space.                                 Move forward 3 spaces.     If someone you don't know says                   Staying in school is important.                                 Is it good to be active in sports?     "someone is hurt, come with     me." What do you do?                   True or false?     Move forward 3 spaces.                   Move forward 3 spaces.                                 Move forward 2 spaces.     If a police officer comes to the                   Why should you make sure that                                 Why should you always turn the     door and you are home alone,                   water is turned all the way off                                 lights off when you leave the     do you let him in?                   and not dripping?                                 room?     Move forward 3 spaces.                   Move forward 2 spaces.                                 Move forward 2 spaces.     If you want to ask for                   Surprise|||   If someone else is talking, and     something, you should always                                 you want to say something,     say    .      Free move|||  what do you do?     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward one space                                 Move forward 3 spaces.     Is it okay to talk when you are                   If it okay to talk loudly when                                 It's not good to make fun of     eating?       you are at the movies?                                 someone who is different from                                 you because                                 .     Move forward 1 space.                   Move forward 2 spaces.                                 Move forward 3 spaces.     If you unwrap a piece of candy                   To have good posture, it is best                                 You should smile as often as     or something else, what should                   to put most of your weight on                                 you can.     you do with the wrapper?                   one foot.     True or false?                   True or false?     Move forward 1 space.                   Move forward 1 space.                                 Move forward 3 spaces.     It is not good to scream or                   If you are sitting in a full room,     throw a fit in a public place.                   and an elderly person walks in,                                 Surprise|||     Why?          you should get up and let them                   sit.          Free move|||                   True or false.     Move forward 3 spaces.                   Move forward 3 spaces.                                 Move forward one space.     If someone calls you names or                   When is a good time to kick,                                 When a relative is leaving your     makes fun of you, what should                   yell and scream?                                 house and everyone is kissing     you say?                    them do you have to kiss them                                 too?     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward one space.                                 Move forward 2 spaces.     You should always say excuse                   If someone is asking you if you                                 What part of your arm stays off     me as loud as you burp.                   want something, and your                                 the table when you eat?     True or false.                   parents say it is okay you                   should always say                   "Yes,     or                   no    ."     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 3 spaces.                                 Move forward 2 spaces.     Standing up straight looks better                   Is it important to keep your                                 If you are getting into an     than hunching over.                   room clean?   elevator and other people are     True or false?                   Why?          getting out, you should try to                                 get in while they are getting                                 out.                                 True or false?     Move forward 1 space.                   Move forward 3 spaces.                                 Move forward 2 spaces.     When your posture is good,                   If you need to get by someone                                 After eating, you should always     your head will line up with your                   that is in your way, you politely                                 push your     in.     feet.         say    .     True or false?     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 1 space.                                 Move forward 1 space.     I'll treat other people as I'd like                   If you need help form someone,                                 Is it okay to say bad things     them to treat get their attention                                 about people behind their backs.                   by saying     .                                 True or false.     Move forward 2 spaces.                   Move forward 2 spaces.                                 Move forward 3 spaces.     You should always sit all the                   You should love yourself.                                 After you play, always clean up     way back in your chair.                   True or false?                                 your     True or false?                   .     Move forward 1 space.                   Move forward 3 spaces.                                 Move forward 1 space.     __________________________________________________________________________

The rules of the game are as follows. First, each player picks a game piece character & starts at the space on the board marked "School." Each player will then roll the die, and the person with the highest number will go first. The remaining players will take their turns clockwise based upon where they are seated about the board. For the first turn, each player rolls the die and then chooses which of the two paths on the board to take. The player then moves the designated amount of spaces on the board.

After the player rolls the die and moves the indicated amount of spaces, he must then name the shape and color of the space landed on. The player then picks a card corresponding to that shape and color and hands it to the parent or another player to read. Each card contains the answer as well as the question, and parents should read the card aloud to their child and have their child answer the question.

If the answer is correct, the player will move ahead the amount of spaces designated on the card. If the answer is partially right, the child should be worked with to bring their answer to a correct response and have them still move ahead the designated amount of spaces. If the answer is incorrect, the correct answer should be explained to the child and they should remain at the same spot on the board until their next roll of the die. If the question is a true/false question and is answered correctly, the child should explain why it was true or false. After finishing with the card, the player should place it at the bottom of the pile and allow the next player to take their turn.

If a player lands on a space that is occupied, the player must move back one space or, if that is occupied, to the next available space and select a card corresponding to the available space. If the player answers the question correctly but the card instructs them to move forward a number of spaces which would land them back on the occupied space, the player may not move their piece forward. There should never be more than one character on any space.

If a player lands on a slide, they can slide on to the designated spot but in order to advance they must answer the question correctly. If a player lands on a slide after moving up for getting a question correct, they must answer that question also. If they answer correctly, they slide and move forward however many spaces are stated on that card. For example, if a player is one space away from a slide, answers a question correctly, and is instructed by the card to move forward one space, the player moves forward to the slide and answers another question. This is the only time a player will answer two questions consecutively. If the second card says move forward 2 spaces and the player answers incorrectly, they do not move their piece forward. If they answer correctly, they slide and move forward 2 spaces.

If a player lands on a space with one of the Guardian Characters on it, they do not have to pick a card and answer a question. They roll the die again and move the corresponding number of spaces. For example, if a player is three spots away from the character "Destiny" and rolls a 2, they move 2 spaces and answer the question. If they answer correctly and the card instructs them to move ahead one space, they will land on the "Destiny" space. The player will roll the die again and move forward the number of spaces on the die without having to answer a question.

When a player reaches close to home they must roll the exact number needed to reach home. For example, if they are three spaces away from home and roll a six, they cannot move and it is the next players turn. If they roll a one or two they move up and answer the question. If they roll a three they make it home safely and are declared the winner. However, all players and parents are winners since the knowledge and safety tips they learn will be with them forever.

If parents disagree with any of the questions or answers on the cards, they should remove any cards they disagree with or change the answers as they think appropriate. The game also includes blank cards for parents to write any questions that are not included in the game that they will feel will benefit their children.

Although this invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it will be understood that it may be used in a variety of different embodiments with equivalent forms of the game apparatus and rules of play. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of playing a game of the type including a board having a series of spaces, at least one game piece, a collection of cards having questions thereon, and at least one blank card, said method including the steps of:writing a question on the blank card that is desired to be asked during game play and adding the card to the collection of cards; moving the game piece a number of spaces on the board; drawing a card from the collection of cards; reading a question from the card that was drawn; and answering the question from the card that was drawn.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the game is played by a plurality of participants, said method further including the step of having one of the participants write the question on the blank card.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein each card includes instructions for moving the game piece, said method further including the step of moving the game piece in accordance with the instructions on the card that was drawn if the answer to the question on the card is correct.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the board includes a starting space, an ending space, and multiple paths therebetween, said method further including the step of selecting a path to use for travelling from the starting space to the ending space.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the board includes at least one slide path joining a space on the board at the beginning of the slide path with a non-adjacent space at the end of the slide path, said method further including the steps of:if the game piece is moved to the space at the beginning of the slide path, drawing a card after moving the game piece, reading a question on the card, and receiving an answer to the question on the card; and in response to a correct answer, moving the game piece to the end of the slide path.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the board includes at least one space having a character associated therewith; said method further including the step of:if the game piece is moved to the space having the character associated therewith, moving the game piece again without requiring that a question be answered. 